As spring is left behind and we welcome summer, I must continue to remind myself that it is still only the beginning of May.

Spring Flowers

The last flowers linger on Helleborus orientalis and the graceful Solomans Seal (Polygonatum) displays its delicate green tipped flowers along its arching stems beneath the Whitebeam (Sorbus aria).

Honey Bees

Although the weather is good by our standards it is too windy for bees to fly for the past couple of days. Colonies have lots of brood at this time and very quickly consume any nectar and pollen gathered from the early, short honey flows in late spring - early summer.

Rainfall

Having enjoyed over two months of fine weather with little or no rainfall, the ground is quite dry. Grass has slowed its growth, the animals are not getting the juicy pasture they would normally enjoy at this time of year and much as I hate to wish for rain, the ground needs moisture now. The light soft tender greens of spring / early summer will vanish quickly if plants are unable to get enough water.

Early Fruit

These are perfect conditions for Cherries (Prunus avium Stella), an early fruiting sweet cherry was planted only last year and looks like it's going to provide an abundant crop - it will be a race between ourselves and the birds as to who will get the most fruit.

Sometimes I grow plants just because I like the look of them, this is the case with Bleeding Heart.  'Dicentra Spectabilis' has burst into full bloom on Our Smallholding, making a graceful display, before it is cast into shade as the leaves open on the shrubs and trees above it.  An architectural specimen plant, it adds interest to and brightens, what would otherwise be a dull corner at this time of year.  Given the right conditions of a moist woodland floor with dappled shade it thrives as nature intended.

It's been established in this position since I got it nearly twenty years ago, in a plant exchange from a lady who loved cottage garden plants.  An herbaceous perennial, it will die down after flowering and becomes dormant in mid to late summer.

I intend to divide it later this year, to establish another clump, in a spot that would otherwise be dull at this time.

Roses are beginning to unfurl their leaves at the moment.

The rose bed has become more difficult to manage in the last few years as some pernicious weeds took their grip. It was time for an overhaul this spring before they re-established. I topped all weeds with a hedge clippers, leaving the clippings where they fell and covered the bed with a thick layer of old newspaper and cardboard. A dense patch of perennial geranium 'Johnson's Blue' established in the centre of the bed was left exposed.  About 4~6 inches of grass clippings from the lawn were placed over this over this, to keep in weighted down and seal the edges, excluding light.

Busy Bees

As I worked along through the bed I became aware of a humming sound above me, the ornamental flowering cherry, 'Prunus Amanogawa' was alive with bees collecting pollen and nectar.

All around the gardens it was the same, any trees with open blossoms were humming with the sound of insect activity.

Plentiful Blossom

Judging by the amount of blossom on the quince bush 'Chaenomeles x superba Crimson & Gold', I'm already anticipating lots of quince jelly in a few months time.

'Malus Golden Hornet' has a deep pink, almost red blossom, opening blush pink and is a heavy cropper of bright yellow crab apples - more jams and jellies.  However, because of its habit of retaining the fruit on its branches, most of this fruit is left unpicked, it provides food for the birds in wintertime.

'Berberis Darwinii, a golden glow in spring is much loved by bees and its small  purple/black fruits are quickly devoured by birds as soon as they ripen in the summer.

Ground Level

On the ground the lowly little Yellow Archangel 'Lamiastrum galeobdolon' is tempting the bees down from the tree tops.

This is a great ground cover plant, which will succeed in shade and in poor soil without any attention and will provide a splash of yellow from its flowers and white from its variegated foliage.  It can become invasive in a manicured garden but in a permaculture design, it will be held back by it's neighbouring plants

The crimson blossoms on 'Malus Royalty' are almost hidden among it reddish purple leaves, except to the bees who were busy collecting its bounty.

Blossom Time

I love this time of year, colour is erupting all around me, dark green corners are illuminated with yellow or red or pink or blush.  Deciduous trees begin to hide their nakedness with soft fresh green leaves.  Nature is flaunting her colours and fragrances, attracting attention, calling the pollinators, so that she can provide us with a bountiful harvest

Although daylight hours are increasing each day, there is always just one more task to be done...

Growing seedlings on a smallholding, at this time of the year can be expensive.  Each pack of seeds can cost up to and some over €3.00 each and they will contain, a the most a pinch of seeds.  Saving seed from the previous year's crop will eliminate this expense. Sharing seeds is the most economical method of growing and anyone who has seeds is more than happy to share and swap.

Seed Saving

In order to save seed from this years crop, ensure the seeds used to grow the plants are 'Open Pollinated', it's not possible to grow from H1 or H2 seeds, these are hybrids.  While it's ideal to exchange seed, sometimes it's necessary to buy them, especially if seed have not been saved previously or you are not part of a network of people who are growing and saving.

This is the position we find ourselves in this year.  We received a gift of 'Open Pollinated' seeds at Christmas and Colette of Bealtaine Cottage, who's been seed saving for some years, very generously gave us many more.  This is the beginning of our seed-saving and re-distribution.

Impulse Buying

Seed packets in the local store are stacked and labelled with pretty pictures - these seeds are attractive and prompt impulse buying but most of them are unsuited to saving.

Open Pollinated Seeds

Irish Seed Savers Association are dedicated to the preservation of traditional native varieties of fruit and vegetables.  Brown Envelope Seeds are based in West Cork. All their seeds are traditional  'Open Pollinated' varieties and certified organic.  I have no interest whatsoever in either of these companies other than that they are Irish and they are growing and selling 'Open Pollinated Seed' suited to Irish conditions.  Irish Seed Savers run courses throughout the year and Brown Envelope Seeds keep a blog, a lovely means of keeping informed and of connecting with like-minded people.  Good luck to them both, long may they continue. There are others, equally as ethical, in other parts of Ireland. Check them out for yourself.

Seed Trays & Compost

The other expenses are compost and seed trays etc.  Compost garden and household waste, build a heap and let it do it's work, there will be lovely compost in a year or so.  With a little forward planning it's possible to collect suitable containers from household packaging.  Any packet, tub etc that can hold compost and can be pierced to allow drainage can be used for seeds and planting on seedlings.  Larger tubs can be divided for seeds and when the plugs are removed these can then be used as pots until the plant is moved into it's growing position in the ground.